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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Dozens of dogs are waiting for homes at the Clearlake Animal Shelters.
There currently are 35 adoptable dogs at the shelter available to be adopted into new homes.
They include “Olive,” a female Labrador retriever mix, and “Toffee,” a male German shepherd mix.
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
Acting Gov. Eleni Kounalakis on Thursday signed legislation to help maintain the state’s COVID-19 operational preparedness by codifying two emergency waivers regarding COVID-19 laboratory testing and therapeutics — statutory changes the Newsom Administration called for, and the Legislature expedited, this session.
AB 269, an urgency measure by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), authorizes qualified laboratory personnel to continue solely processing COVID-19 tests and permits COVID-19 testing sites contracted with the California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, to continue dispensing COVID-19 therapeutics until January 2024.
“This measure preserves important tools in the state’s response to the pandemic and will continue to protect public health as California moves forward, focusing on preparedness and support for our communities,” said Kounalakis.
As previously announced in October, the state’s COVID-19 state of emergency ended on Feb. 28, 2023.
The state’s SMARTER Plan continues to guide California’s work to support local communities, and COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment are available throughout the state.
For the full text of the bill signed today, visit http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County and the rest of the North Coast aren't past winter storms yet.
The National Weather Service is forecasting more snow beginning on Saturday and continuing into early next week.
The agency has issued a winter storm watch for Lake County that’s in effect from 4 a.m. Saturday through 4 p.m. Sunday.
The National Weather Service’s Eureka office said the incoming winter storm will impact elevations above the 1,000 foot elevation level from Saturday through early next week.
Forecasters urged North Coast residents to start planning now for heavy snow in higher elevations, and heavy showers and thunderstorms near sea level.
The lineup of snowstorms that began last week is reminiscent of the series of atmospheric rivers that brought heavy rain to Lake County and much of the rest of California beginning at Christmas and continuing through January.
The specific Lake County forecast shows daytime temperatures dipping into the 40s through Tuesday and the high 20s and night.
Areas like Cobb are expected to see rain and snow beginning on Saturday, with the potential to consider through Tuesday, while other areas like the Northshore may not see snow until Monday.
The National Weather Service’s map of snowfall shows amounts ranging from 2 to 6 inches of snow around the lake, and areas in the northern mountains that are part of the Mendocino National Forest getting as much as 18 inches.
In related weather news, on Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in 13 counties due to the winter storms and activated the California Guard.
Lake County was not included in the proclamation, despite the fact that Sheriff Rob Howe on Friday declared a local emergency, which the Board of Supervisors unanimously ratified on Tuesday.
The counties in the governor’s Wednesday proclamation, which supports disaster response and relief, are Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma and Tulare.
It’s not clear why Lake wasn’t included, but Howe told the board on Tuesday that the damage from the recent storms may not be clear in Lake County until the snow melts.
Howe at that point had warned that the storms were not yet over.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The work of the Lake County Public Defenders’ Advisory Committee involves reviewing generally the provision of indigent defense services in Lake County, advising the Board of Supervisors on matters of equity and social justice related to indigent defense services, and the preparation of statistical reports to the Board of Supervisors annually on the state of the indigent defense services in Lake County.
The committee met regularly until March of 2018, at which time the meetings stopped. The county of Lake has not responded to Lake County News’ questions about why the meetings stopped five years ago.
Now, however, the county wants to restart the committee.
Last month, the Board of Supervisors discussed a report on indigent defense services. At that time, County Counsel Anita Grant recommended the committee could be more robust and involve people who have been involved in the criminal justice system.
The county said all committee members are expected to have substantial experience and expertise relevant to indigent public defense services and to reflect the diversity of Lake County to the extent practicable.
Individuals selected for this committee must be able to commit the time necessary to attend meetings and participate effectively as a member.
While serving on the committee, no member may engage in the provision of indigent defense services, hold a position as a prosecuting attorney or be an employee of the Lake County Superior Court.
Committee composition
The county is seeking recommendations for appointments to this Committee from associations/groups active in Lake County that focus on indigent criminal defense issues based upon the experiences of persons identifying as African-American, Native American, Latino/Hispanic-American, Asian-American and members of the LBGTQ+ communities.
Organizations that meet the criteria listed above may each submit three names. The submittal must include an application and other written materials relevant to the organization’s recommendation of each applicant.
Additionally, the county is seeking applications from:
• Persons with significant experience providing indigent defense services of five (5) or more years, who does not presently provide such services in Lake County; and
• Persons with significant experience as indigent criminal defendants in the County of Lake.
Applications are available at the Lake County Courthouse, Clerk of the Board Office, Room 109, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, California, or online.
Membership on the committee is voluntary.